Doug Adams of Pacific School of Religion pointed
out (and then played for us) the opening sequence of "Forrest
Gump." In that sequence, the first thing we see is a feather
dislodging from a dove flying overhead. The feather wafts along,
almost alighting on several "acceptable" people, finally
settling on Forrest, sitting on the bench, waiting for the bus. Mark
1:10: "...he saw...the Spirit
descending like a dove on him." (submitted by Bob
Andrews-Bryant)

The first schoolbus scene with Forrest trying to find a
seat is a great lesson in mercy and compassion. While no one else would
offer Forrest a seat, Jenny invites him to sit with her.
(Bil Shappell/St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Lutherville, MD)

Entry into Jerusalem/Palm Sunday

Lieutenant Dan talks about coming home from Vietnam
a hero and then being pushed aside and even persecuted by folks who
were protesting the war. Assumes a crucified Christ pose.

Grief/Loss

Forrest mourns Jennie.

The scene where after Bubbadies, Forrest reflects on how if he had knew Bubba wasgoing to die, he would have said more to Bubba thelast time he talked to him. (Benjy Oliver)

Forrest Gump where the Napalm hits and the jungle isabout to explode and Forrest realizes that Bubba isstill in there. He races back to get Bubba and thescene ends with Forrest running out of the fireballthat used to be a Jungle carrying Bubba. This
is a great clip to demonstrate that we needgood
Christian friends to carry us through tough timesbecause sooner or later all of us have one of thosetimes where the whole world is exploding around us.
(Benjy Oliver)

Love

I see the Hosea text as a pronouncement of God's
never-ending love and of a constant courtship with us, even in light
of our "whoredom". In light of that, I think Forrest Gump
and his relationship with Jenny is helpful in understanding this
text. Throughout the movie Forrest holds a deep love for Jenny, in
spite of her flaws and her trysts with others. In the end, Forrest's
love prevails and the two come together in marriage, with Forrest
caring for her as she dies. Some may have trouble equating God with
Forrest Gump, but I think the simplicity of the message of love here
is what needs to be stressed, rather than seeing God as a man who
sits on a bench saying, "Life is like a box of
chocolates." (submitted by Shawn Stapleton)